Deontay Wilder frustrated by WBC, claims thousands of boxers are doping

WBC heavyweight titlist Deontay Wilder isn't happy that the WBC has yet to announce the rest of it's findings after Alexander Povetkin tested positive for meldonium in a pre-fight drug test. In fact, he finds it a little ridiculous that Povektin is still listed on the WBC's website as his mandatory challenger. Wilder believes it's plainly obvious that Povetkin should be immediately suspended.

"I don't know why it's taken so long," Wilder told RingTV.com on Monday. "I don't think it should take (so long). I know how the court system works but as far as the WBC coming out with a verdict - it shouldn't take so long. That's a no-brainer. The WBC talks about a clean program - hopefully they lay down the hammer. They put their foot down. Boxing is too dangerous to be doping and something needs to be done about it."

Wilder goes on to say that the doping problem in boxing is a pervasive one, and estimates Povetkin is likely just one of thousands of fighters who are using banned substances in the sport to get an edge.

"It's a big problem in boxing," Wilder said in a phone interview. "This is probably just one of a 100 fighters (in the heavyweight division). And if we're talking about all divisions, this is probably one of thousands. They just haven't got caught yet."

If it were up to Wilder, Povetkin would receive a lengthy two-year suspension for his actions. Wilder even says that had Povetkin simply admitted to taking the illegal substance recently, he would still be open to facing him as he believes in second chances. But because Povetkin and his team maintain that the meldonium found in his body were taken before it became a banned substance - he just can't respect that and has no intention of facing him.

As of now, the WBC has officially ruled Wilder's mandatory fight against Povetkin as "postponed," but Wilder's trainer/manager Jay Deas, along with Wilder himself, believe the fight to be off altogether.

"No, this is it," Wilder said. "I'm very disgusted. If they had apologized and manned up, then I believe in second chances. It's the fight business and people get nervous and I understand trying to do something spectacular for your country and he went to the depths of cheating. But they didn't man up (and apologize). As far as I'm concerned, there is no future for Deontay Wilder and Alexander Povetkin. He already choice his fate and he chose the cowardly way."

So while the WBC continues to deal with the fallout of this failed drug test, Wilder's team is already looking at other possible fights for their man. Deas reportedly has some interest in an opponent like Bryant Jennings, who despite his loss to Luis Ortiz is still a recognizable name. Really, though, Wilder fighting anyone else is still speculative until the WBC hands down it's verdict (so long as Wilder wants to maintain the green belt).

With the Povetkin fight on hold for now, Wilder misses out on a $4,504,500 purse which remains in an escrow account in the U.S. Naturally Wilder's team feels like they should be compensated with the fight being officially delayed (and possibly canceled) due to no fault of their own, and are considering seeking a legal remedy to address that very issue.